Hazardous Waste Refresher Yeshiva University Jorge L. Quiñones: Safety Specialist Department of Environmental Health and Safety

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)  Passed by Congress in 1976 to provide a cradle-to-grave management of hazardous waste  Enforced by the following governmental agencies:  Federal - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  State - Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)  Local - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

 Love Canal, NY  Hooker Chemical began dumping chemicals in 1941  School built on the old dump site in 1954  School and nearby houses became affected  Cancer rates increased and an emergency was declared  Times Beach, MO  Dioxin contaminated oil used to control dust on town roads in 1972  Government spent 32 million to buy resident homes in after numerous people and animals became sick Major Events that Led to the Development of RCRA

Hazardous Waste  RCRA definition:  Causes or significantly contributes to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or poses a substantial present or potential future hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed, or otherwise mismanaged.

What is Hazardous Waste  Any waste that has the following characteristics:  Ignitable  Corrosive  Reactive  Toxic  Is listed as a waste in 6NYCRR 371.4

Characteristics of a Waste uIgnitable Flash point < 140 o F Examples: Acetonitrile, alcohols, acetone, toluene, xylene, ether, other

Characteristics of a Waste uCorrosive pH 12.5 Examples: Acids, glass cleaner, hydroxides, bases, drain cleaners, other

Characteristics of a Waste uReactive Unstable and may explode under certain conditions such as heat, friction or pressure Examples: Picric acid, peroxide forming chemicals, ethyl ethers, dinitro compounds, other

Characteristics of a waste uToxic Fails Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Test Examples: Heavy metals: mercury, lead, silver, chromic acid, other

Universal Waste uEstablished by the EPA in 1995 uThe Universal Waste Rule permits certain hazardous wastes to be managed under streamlined requirements that will encourage the collection, recycling or disposal of certain wastes. Examples: Fluorescent and high intensity discharge lamps, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps Batteries Mercury thermostats Certain pesticides Computer monitors Ballasts

Hazardous Waste Generator  Large quantity generator: –>2,200 lbs/month of hazardous waste –>2.2 lbs/month of acutely hazardous waste  Small quantity generator: –Between ,200 lbs/month of hazardous waste –< 2.2 lbs/month of acutely hazardous waste  Conditionally exempt small quantity generator: –Up to 220 lbs/month of hazardous waste –< 2.2 lbs/month of acutely hazardous waste

Large Quantity Generator (LQG)  Yeshiva College and Stern College are SQGs, therefore we must have the following:  EPA Identification Number  Basic Contingency Plan  Training for Waste Handlers  Waste stored less than 180 days

Accumulation Area  Any area that generates hazardous waste is required to have an accumulation area close to the point of generation

Inspection of Waste  Inspect waste once a week to ensure: –Chemical waste is labeled with the EH&S “Hazardous Waste” label –Container label identifies contents –Containers are kept closed –Containers are not corroded –Containers are in secondary containment –Containers are dated

Inspection of Waste (cont.) Chemical waste is not leaking Chemical waste is not leaking Chemicals and waste are segregated so that incompatible chemicals are not next to each other Chemicals and waste are segregated so that incompatible chemicals are not next to each other The total volume of chemical waste in the accumulation area does not exceed 55 gal The total volume of chemical waste in the accumulation area does not exceed 55 gal No more than 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste is accumulated No more than 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste is accumulated Waste is placed in proper containers Waste is placed in proper containers Accumulation areas are close to the place where waste is generated and under the control of the area supervisor Accumulation areas are close to the place where waste is generated and under the control of the area supervisor

Labeling  A waste label must be placed on the waste container as soon as the first drop of waste is added  A waste label must be placed on all hazardous waste containers, even if the original label is present on the chemical bottle

Labeling  Label must contain the words “Hazardous Waste”  The date must identify when the container was filled  The full name of the chemical(s) must be written out  Labels can be obtained from by calling EH&S at (718)  Under no circumstances may a container labeled with the words “Hazardous Waste” be disposed in the regular trash

Location of Waste  Identify a specific location in the laboratory  Avoid the use of the floor  Use secondary containment where necessary  Do not use the fume hood for long term storage of waste  Inspect storage areas weekly

Segregation of Chemicals  All chemical waste is to be stored so that incompatibles are not next to each other  Never mix incompatible chemicals  A compatibility chart is available at the link below:

Consolidating chemicals  The following chemical solvents may be consolidated in the same bottle: AcetoneAcetonitrileBenzene CyclohexanoneEthanolEthyl acetate EthylbenzeneIsopropanolMethanol Methyl ethyl ketoneNitrobenzeneToluene Xylene  Any time a new chemical is added to a container, write the full name of the chemical(s) on the hazardous waste label

Waste Disposal  No hazardous wastes may be:  dumped down the drain  discharged to sanitary sewer  discarded with the garbage  allowed to evaporate into the atmosphere  Consult with EH&S about disposal of non-hazardous chemicals

Disposal of Empty Containers  Containers or bottles must:  Be empty  Be rinsed three times with the first rinse collected as hazardous waste  Have the label removed, obscured, or marked “empty”  Be disposed in the regular trash, unless acutely hazardous or odorous  Call EH&S at (718) for information on disposal of acutely hazardous chemical containers

Emergency Spill Response  Most small spills can be cleaned up by the laboratory technician  If a spill is too large: 1.Wilf Campus call extension 200 or (212) Beren Campus call (212) and ask to speak with a Supervisor  Also notify: 1.Science Office: (212) Safety Specialist: (917)

Emergency Spill Response  Most small spills can be cleaned up by the laboratory technician  If a spill is too large:  Wilf Campus call extension 200 or (212)  Beren Campus call (212) and ask to speak with a Supervisor  Also notify:  Science Office: (212)  Safety Specialist: (917)

Spills Clean-up small spills if you:  Have materials to absorb and bag the spilled material  Are familiar with the properties of the spilled materials  Have the proper personal protection  Know spilled acids or bases are dilute Do not clean-up a spill if you:  Don’t know the identity of the chemical  Lack the knowledge to safely handle the spill  Feel the spill is unsafe to clean up

Emergency  Splash to the Eyes:  Immediately flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes  Seek medical attention, if necessary  Splash to the Body:  Remove contaminated clothing  Immediately flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes  Seek medical attention, if necessary

Medical Emergency  In the event of a medical emergency call 911 then  1. Wilf Campus call 911, then Security at extension 200 or (212)  2. Beren Campus call 911, then Security extension 709 or (212)  3. Brookdale Campus call 911, then Security extension 303 or (212)  Security will escort the EMS personnel to the emergency location

Waste Minimization  Purchase only what is needed  Minimize and rotate inventories; redistribute excess chemicals  Substitute hazardous substances with less hazardous materials  Review and modify process to minimize amount of waste generated  Recycle waste materials back into the same process or into a different process  Separate hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste  Reduce the amount of hazardous materials used in a procedure  Do not purchase mercury-containing thermometers  Share unused chemicals with other laboratories

Mixed wastes  Do not mix the following wastes:  Chemical with biological  Chemical with radiological  Biological with radiological  Lab supplies (needles, pipettes, tubes, gloves) with chemical or radiological  Halogenated with non-halogenated solvents  Solvents with aqueous waste  Incompatible chemicals  If your waste needs to be mixed, please consult with EH&S before proceeding

Summary  Chemical disposal is free  Never pour any chemical down the drain  Never allow waste to evaporate into the air  Always label and cap bottles  Deface and rinse all chemical bottles before disposal  Mixed waste is costly, discuss your options with EH&S  For more waste information, visit our website at aecom.yu.edu/ehs or refer to YU’s Waste Disposal Guidelines  For additional information you may also consult the MSDS or contact EH&S at (718)

Contact Information Department of Environmental Health and Safety Jorge L. Quiñones, REM, MS Safety Specialist Safety Specialist Yeshiva University AECOM Office: Resnick Campus Resnick Campus Forchheimer 800, (718) or (718)